Redskins Free Agency: Previewing what will happen with the Redskins free agent rush linebackers
OLB Trent Murphy
The Redskins are in the perfect position to buy low on Trent Murphy. In 2016, Murphy was going to convert to defensive end but instead, the team reversed course and kept him at outside linebacker following an injury to Junior Galette. The end training that Murphy did had a huge impact on him.
During that 2016 campaign, Murphy notched a career high nine sacks and forced three fumbles after taking the starting job away from Preston Smith. He was a big, physical rusher who pushed offensive tackles into the backfield. Coming into the 2017 campaign, Murphy was penciled in as the starter across from Ryan Kerrigan. Then, disaster struck in the preseason.
Murphy tore both his ACL and MCL during the team’s first preseason game. He was confirmed to be out for the season. At the time, this was considered to be a big loss, but Smith and Galette were able to fill in well for Murphy. They don’t have the same type of skill set, and that would have allowed the trio to succeed had Murphy been able to play.
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Heading into the offseason, Murphyis going to be shrouded in uncertainty. Given that his injury was in August, one would believe he’d be ready for the start of the season. But, there are no guarantees. That could have teams on the free agent market nervous and though Murphy has talent, they could write him off as an injured, one-year wonder. That could deflate his value on the market.
That’s where the Redskins could come in. They could offer Murphy a low risk, incentive based one-year deal with to stay with the team. He’d keep a familiar surrounding while he recovers from the devastating injury and he could ease back into the rotation as a backup. At the same time, if fully healthy he could win a starting job and he could play some defensive end in certain rush packages. In short, he would still fit in very well with the team.
Signing a one-year deal in Washington makes too much sense for Murphy. It’s what Junior Galette did this offseason, and that has paid off. Murphy can follow that same path, and then he will be in line for a lucrative deal if he plays well during 2018.